NOT along ago we mentioned how thankful we should be for tidings from any friends who are laboring for the Master in distant parts of the earth. Since then we have received from various friends most interesting details, which from time to time we hope to print in our pages. Mr. R. L. McKeown, who is, in company with other missionaries, working amongst the Ibunos on the west coast of Africa, sends us the following letter, which we are assured our readers will peruse with prayerful interest. He writes as follows:
MISSION HOUSE, IBUNO,
QUA IBOE, WEST AFRICA.
I have often thought of writing to you since I came to Qua Iboe, but one has had so many to write to, and the time for correspondence has been so limited, that I have had to leave you out up to the present.
It is now almost a year since I and Miss Lyons called in your place in London, and got to know you. I sailed for Africa that same week, and therefore have been nearly a year on the so-called “foreign field.” In that time one has seen much that is new, and, I am sorry to say, much that is sad. I am afraid Christians at home have little idea of what it means to be really without Christ. One needs to come and live here before it can be realized. These people are perishing literally for “lack of knowledge.” Ignorance and superstition have made them the slaves of cruelty, oppression, and the most revolting customs.
Our little mission works up the banks of this river among a population of about 1,000,000. This population is composed of several tribes, but we have only yet reached the Ibunos and the Ibibios. It has pleased God to give us much blessing among the former people. The whole tribe is now practically evangelized, and its customs and rites have been completely overturned by the Gospel. We have two churches, three schools, and several preaching stations in constant operation. There is also an industrial branch, consisting of sawmill and carpenters’ shops, and there is the medical department. I believe our sawmill is the only one at present working on the whole coast.
About 15 or 18 miles up river we have a station among the Ibibios, and 40 miles farther up still another. We are hoping soon to open up work in the Eket country. The Ekets are quite close to Ibuno, but have never yet been reached by missionaries. We are only a little band of seven workers, and we can only just touch the fringe of the field at present. Surely God has gems for His kingdom among the degraded Ibibios and the treacherous Ekets, if only some of His husbandmen would come and seek them out.
This work was pioneered by Mr. Bill, who came here from Harley College in 1887. As the work grew, a Council was formed in Belfast, and that Council manages the home end of the work. We do not make any appeal for funds, nor is any salary stipulated to be paid, The Lord is supplying our needs, and we look to Him to raise up men and money for the further extension of the work. Just now I understand our funds are so low that the allowances for quarter cannot be paid. This is surely to test our faith—the deep need here calls for increased instead of decreased giving.
I have had very good health since I came here—that is, as health goes on the west coast. I have had two sharp fevers, but they were not of long duration. We have suffered much from sickness lately, and do not know how it may go with a couple of the workers.
I shall be glad at any time to write short paragraphs for the missionary column in the “SPRINGING WELL,” if you think such desirable. Meantime I enclose one. I hope the Lord will bless your paper in increasing degree as the days go on. There is much need for clear testimony, for I fear the Church—where not practically dead —is slumbering deeply.
With Christian love,
I remain,
Ever yours in Him,
(Signed) R. L. McKeown.